Maersk Saigon Runs Aground at Brazilian Port

Image Courtesy: Shipspotting

The 108,180 DWT containership Maersk Saigon, owned by the world’s largest container shipping company Maersk Line, ran aground at Port of Santos access channel in Brazil after departing the port on Monday.

“On 7 December 2015 at 2.17 pm local time Maersk Saigon was grounded during her departure manoeuvre at the BTP Terminal in Santos, Brazil.

“Maersk Saigon was departing towards Port Elizabeth, South Africa, (on the ASAS service). She is a Maersk Line operated time charter vessel managed by E.R. Schiffahrt,” Maersk Line told World Maritime News in an emailed statement.

The vessel hit a sandy shallow due to a strong current in the navigation channel.

Maersk Line added that the vessel’s crew is safe and no one was injured.

The 8,402 TEU ship was refloated at 10.30 pm local time on Monday and is currently safely anchored while awaiting further inspection to assess any potential structural damages.

The local authorities sent two tugs to help with refloating the ship.

There were no reports of pollution in the area.

The authorities are investigating the circumstances that lead to the grounding.